Europe's cooperation with the United States is a major source of instability. So I'd rather see NATO replaced by an international alliance of smaller countries and middle powers or smaller countries that reject aggression and abide by international law.

Couldn't agree more. It's long past time to wean Europe off of dependence on the US of any kind, but especially military and economic.

I also think that the whole "must spend X" obsession largely comes from NATO propaganda which assumed that Europe would use that money to buy weapons from the American MIC.

That and propaganda on behalf of the European MIC, which is also a thing, though a lot smaller.

That doesn't invalidate all additional spending

True, but the arguments for it being necessary not holding water does.

especially if temporary

Yeah, because militaries and the rich people and corporations never make sure that "temporary" subsidies and government contracts become effectively permanent 🙄

NATO famously was "to keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans [read Europeans] down".

It is not in our interest to be vassals of the US, as they've shown multiple tiimes.